"Maattu Pongal" is celebrated on the second day of the month of Thai. This is a Thanks giving day to cows, bulls and buffaloes by worshipping them which help the people in farming activities, and give milk.

The farmers give a bath to the cows decorate them with garlands, saffron, "Kumkumam" and tie silk cloth for them. Then the cows are offered with special "Poojas" and "Sakkarai Pongal" (sweet rice).

"Maatu Pongal" was celebrated at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar temple in Colombo 13 at dusk on Jan 16th.